Volunteer Information

We are so glad that you are volunteering at North Georgia Christian Camp this summer! The ministry of North Georgia Christian Camp would not be able to minister without the willingness of volunteers. Prior to your week of camp, please review the following guidelines to help ensure that camp is the best it can be for everyone involved. All volunteer staff are under the direct supervision of the dean and camp director.

When to Arrive

We ask that our volunteers arrive at camp in enough time to check in with us at the Registration area and be settled into your cabin waiting on campers to arrive by 4:00 PM. This helps the registration process go smoothly and helps first-time campers get settled in and comfortable with camp.

Camp Policy

The enforcement of camp policy shall rest with the deans of each week of camp and final authority will be with the Camp Director, who is charged with the responsibility of the total supervision of the camping program. The camp's programs are evaluated by the Executive Committee. This committee, along with the Camp Director, selects the deans for each week of camp. This committee is also responsible for setting camp policy.

Goals for Campers

Each camper should experience an extended time of interaction with Christian peers and adult models of the Christian life.

Each camper should be approached about his spiritual life (consideration of age).

Each camper should be approached about his home life. Questionable home situations should be reported to the Camp Director.

Each camper should participate in daily assemblies, classes, and activities, which will help lead him to a relationship with Christ or nurture him in the biblical fundamentals of the Christian faith and lifestyle.

Each camper should experience opportunities and challenges to help him discover personal talent, abilities, and gifts.

Each camper should experience opportunities in craft and recreational activities.

Each camper should experience daily involvement in worship, both personal and corporate.

Program Aims

Present Christ as Savior and Lord

Teach campers to study and apply scripture to their lives

Encourage campers to form Christian relationships

Encourage campers toward ministry

Increase the awareness of God through the use of nature

Introduce campers to new skills and learning activities

Scheduling

The camp schedule is a very important part of the overall camp experience. Please keep in mind that each camper is on a different level. It is important to keep a regular schedule throughout the week. Please keep these things in mind as you plan for your week:

Meals will be served around these following times:

Breakfast: 8:00 am - 9:00 am

Lunch: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Supper: 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Campers need sleep. Camp can wear down campers, especially younger campers. When this happens, attitudes can change, accidents can occur, and the whole camp experience can turn sour. NGCC will have a 12:00 am curfew. All programs must end and campers and staff must be in their cabins by that time.

Canteen should be scheduled at least 1.5 hours from meal time and bed time. The canteen operation will be under the direction of a paid staff member. There will be one afternoon and one evening canteen.

Cabin Life

The following guidelines should be used in the cabins. A good cabin experience can make a week of camp.

Staff should serve a good example by the way they act and the way they leave their bunks.

Staff will be expected to help with clean-up.

Never leave a cabin without supervision.

Staff should be aware of any problems that might be occurring in their cabins. Campers can become cruel with jokes and comments.

Nightly devotions or discussions should be planned as part of the regular camp routine.

Discourage scary story-telling.

Cabin life should be a very positive time for each camper. When cabins are well supervised and cabin parents are available to campers, the cabin will be a great place for living and learning.

Security & Visitors

Anyone who is not directly involved in the program must check in with the deans. Any staff noticing strangers on campus should report this to the dean immediately. The camp is not open to the public during summer programs. Visitors are discouraged from coming to the camp because the program is usually disrupted. If there are visitors, they must check in with the dean immediately upon arrival and should keep their visit to within an hour. Meal cost for visitors is $3.00 per plate.

Discipline

Never physically strike a camper. Any major discipline problem should be discussed with the camp director. Hazing is not allowed. Be aware of any volunteers that have problems in the area of discipline. In working with campers, one should realize that many different kinds of home environments are represented. Campers are sent home only as a last resort.

Child Abuse

Child abuse has become a nationwide issue over the last decade. Schools, camps, and other youth organizations have come under intense scrutiny. We must be sensitive and well-informed to avoid having potential difficulties in this area. We cannot be too careful in the area of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse. Even the appearance of a wrong or false allegation can cause irreparable damage to the reputation of the accused staff member and North Georgia Christian Camp. Therefore, all staff members must be cautious in order to avoid doing anything that could be interpreted as sexual, physical, or emotional abuse.

Supervision

All activities should be properly supervised. This is the best defense in preventing abuse of any kind. The buddy system in activities, avoiding late night counseling sessions, and wisdom in physical contact will go a long way in preventing these kinds of problems. Please note that sexual abuse can be verbal as well as physical. Do not hesitate to notify the camp director of any potential problems.

Types of Abuse

Sexual Abuse - The problem of sexual abuse of children and the growing wave of lawsuits alleging sexual abuse is a real one. Volunteers must be aware of where they are, who they are with, and what they are doing at all times. Sexual abuse offenses fall into two main categories: touching and non-touching. Touching offenses include: fondling, oral, genital, or anal stimulation, non-violent intercourse, incest, rape, and assault. Non-touching offenses include: verbal sexual stimulation, peeping in doors and windows, indecent exposure, and causing or allowing a child to witness sexual relations.

Physical Abuse - In a camp setting, physical abuse is most likely to happen when a counselor or other staff member is disciplining a camper. Anything done to inflict pain while disciplining a camper is considered child abuse. No hitting, slapping, spanking, squeezing, or other activities which could be considered as physically abusive, either individually or as a group, is permitted.

Emotional Abuse - Emotional abuse includes, but is not limited to, screaming derogatory remarks and extended lecturing on bad behavior. No activity which could be considered as emotionally abusive, either individually or as a group, is permitted.

Child Abuse Procedure

After it has been disclosed that a child has been abused, certain steps should be taken to help that child. Listen, don't panic or overreact. Don't fill in words for them or ask leading questions. Believe, it is not your responsibility to determine whether the allegation is true. Protect, take the child to the camp director or nurse. Affirm, accept and understand the child's feeling. Refer, tell only the camp director or nurse. Do not attempt to handle the problem alone. As a child custodian, you are mandated by law to report child abuse. The camp director will make the official report to Child Protective Services and make any other necessary arrangements.

Counselor Relationships

Relationship to your dean

Be willing to work under the supervision of the dean, obeying all his/her rules and policies.

Be willing to support the dean's program.

Remember the dean is there to help you and you are there to help the dean.

Relationships to other members of the camp staff

All camp staff are there to help the dean!

Be friendly, helpful, and loyal to all members of the camp staff.

Demonstrate a oneness and unity in Christ.

You should refrain from unfavorable discussion of personalities and from complaining.

Avoid competing with other leaders for popularity among the campers and staff.

Relationships with the campers

Be a counselor who is friendly without showing partiality.

Be a good listener.

Remember camp is for the camper and you are there to help them get the most they can out of camp.